According to international organizations for pest control, the Fusarium fungus is a causal agent of the wilt disease in Musaceae crops (bananas and plantains). It is considered the most destructive disease of plantains and bananas, and is also one of the ten most important diseases in the history of agriculture.
The diplomatic mission in Venezuela of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is providing technical assistance on the presence of the fungus Fusarium in banana and plantain plants in the country. The action, which will be carried out until March 10, aims to enrich knowledge to combat pests that affect food production in Venezuela.
“We support the implementation of the national action plan for the response and prevention of Fusarium in the country, in order to strengthen institutional and producer capacities in biosafety, surveillance and diagnostic measures,” said the FAO representative in Venezuela.
According to international organizations for the pest controlthe mushroom Fusarium it is a causal agent of the wilt disease in musáceas crops (bananas and plantains). It is considered the most destructive disease of plantains and bananas, and is also one of the ten most important diseases in the history of agriculture.
In February, the National Institute of Integral Agricultural Health (Insai) declared a national emergency in the country due to the presence of the Fusarium fungus (ROC R4T), which threatens to deteriorate banana plantations.
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The productive states are on alert due to the confirmed presence of the fungus in Aragua, Carabobo and Cojedes, according to results that yielded molecular phytosanitary analyzes carried out in virology and plant biotechnology laboratories of the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC).
This fungus produces a disease in the plantations that causes their withering and death, affecting products of the Musácea family such as bananas, bananas and mole.
As part of the alert, the institute attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Land prohibited the transfer of these products in affected areas, as well as the mobilization of all components of this type of plant, such as roots, rhizomes, pseudostems, petioles, peduncles. and leaves.
According to the Foundation for the Improvement of Bananas in Venezuela (Fumplaven), producers must take the necessary precautions against the possibility that the fungus “exterminates” musáceas plantations. In this sense, it also recommends “not making visits to the areas of Aragua, Carabobo and Cojedes, nor allowing access to their plantations.”
It also calls for taking biosecurity measures, such as disinfecting vehicles with quaternary ammonium, also disinfecting workers’ footwear, and not moving plant material in these areas.
In the event that a producer observes his plants with vascular wilting, root rot, foot and stem rot, or leaf lesions, Fumplaven recommends contacting professionals from the Insai or the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA).
This fungus has already caused significant losses in different sectors of Asia and Africa. The researchers who have warned about this issue stress that it is difficult to eradicate this species and that these diseases can prolong these diseases in the local flora for decades if the appropriate measures are not taken.
With information Momentum
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